Victoria Falls Day 2

The details of the Design around the hotels bring the expert craftsmen ship of the Zimbabwean artist to the forefront at each step. Most outstanding artist in South Africa are originally from Zimbabwe. The light of the crisp winter sunshine plays hide and seek with the many artifacts. The outstanding position of the Victoria Falls Hotel is breath taking. Although I find it rides on a "very old wave" and the colonial style and "Britishness" is a bit overwhelming. I wish they would find a way to integrate the Africa of today into the beauty of the colonial building beside a collection of modern Zimbabwean sculptures placed discreetly on the way to the pool. Taking a meal or snak on the terrace in the day time is something not to be missed to admire the mist of the thundering falls at a distance. I would say the buffet in the evening was far from the standard or its more contemporary neighbor hotel.Not to be missed is a visit to the Victoria Falls train station still well alive and active. People are chatty, friendly, NOT wanting anything but a nice Hello. No one begs or steals and one travelling Asian with a remarkable Buddha like face proved the safe ambiance by having a deep sleep nap awaiting his train. I then booked a tout to ride Afrian elephants. A breathtaking experience compared to their Asian brothers in Thailand and India. This particular farm white owned was made redundant by the presidency all the elephants were taken, and re homed in a president owned camp. 2weeks later they all had broken out, run away and returned to their original owner. Since then they are left to their own devices. good for them. The babies follow the parents on all excursions of 1-2hours walk 2 passengers per elephant with a ranger. Do not wear your best sneakers! The elephant skin is so rough that in the short time like sand paper it gave my shoes a 20 year old look but worth the ride. Tame Antelope etc also live together on the camp wit all the elephants that are orphans. Some if lucky meet real wild elephants as they are left loose every day when the customers are not around, as walks are limited to two per day. If adopted by a passing family they are left to go their natural way back to nature. You can buy some souvenirs like foot print from the elephant you have ridden and a well made video taken on the ride put together while your feed the elephants. Be kind as your shopping is much needed to help keep these stunning creatures alive and protected. Again I felt 100% safe welcome and protected all along this adventure no one ever made me feel unsafe like is so many places in South Africa. Since my last visit this came seems to have added a nice choice of rooms and the usual pamper yourself SPA Bravo good for them. http://www.wildhorizons.co.za/elephantcamp/